‘DNA links Omagh accused to other blasts’

DNA evidence links electrician Sean Hoey, accused of the 29 Omagh bomb murders, with a series of explosions, a court heard yesterday.

A senior forensic scientist in the case against Hoey, 36, who was allegedly involved in a dozen terrorist attacks across the North, also claimed only one person built the devices used in the campaign.

Dennis McAuley told Belfast Magistrates Court his belief hardened after new examinations of soldering techniques, wiring, codes and manufacturing dates of the timer power units.

“It has further strengthened my opinion that the Northern Ireland units were made by the same person.”

As committal proceedings began against Hoey, of Molly Road, Jonesborough, south Armagh, it also emerged that a voice analyst believes the suspect telephoned through the warning on another attack weeks before the August 1998 Real IRA massacre in Omagh.

It took more than 20 minutes to read out all 61 terrorist and explosives charges against him.

Hoey sat expressionless in the dock while Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden died in the carnage at Omagh, listened in the public gallery.

Hundreds were injured in the no-warning strike.

Magistrate Desmond Perry rejected the move by Hoey’s defence to have the forensic expert’s evidence thrown out.

The hearing, which is expected to last for three days, was adjourned until today.